Founded in 1994 by Alexandra Marnier Lapostolle and her husband, Cyril de Bournet, Lapostolle represents a marriage of French winemaking tradition and the exceptional terroirs of Chile. Alexandra came from the family behind the famed Grand Marnier liqueur and brought generations of viticultural expertise to their New World venture. The winery is based in the Colchagua Valley, about two hours southwest of Santiago, with its most celebrated vineyards located in the renowned Apalta Valley. Protected by surrounding hills and influenced by Chile's Mediterranean climate, Apalta has become one of the country's premier regions for producing world-class red wines. The estate's oldest parcels contain ungrafted vines planted between 1910 and 1945, including some remarkable old Carmenère and Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards. Their flagship wine, Clos Apalta, first released in 1997, quickly became one of South America's most celebrated bottlings and helped establish Chile as a source of collectible fine wines.